Mykonos

Cosmopolitan, romantic and dazzling white, Mykonos may compete with Santorini for the most popular Cyclades island prize. Mykonos rich night life which attracts actors, singers and ordinary party people is combined with sandy beaches, crystal sea and the captivating white-blue magic of the local architecture.

Being a top destination, Mykonos is well connected to mainland Greece and the other Greek islands. There are regular ferries from/to the ports of Piraeus and Rafina, and circulating between all the other islands of the group. A few times weekly Mykonos is connected to the north Aegean islands of Samos and Ikaria as well. Fast passenger ferries travel to the neighbor Tinos and Syros for about 15 minutes. The historical island of Delos is also very close and in the summer there are organized boats arriving from Mykonos old port in the morning and departing from Delos in the afternoon.

Mykonos has two ports, old and new. The old port is in Mykonos town, the capital, but it is small and used only for small boats while the new port, called Tourlos is suited to take up big ferryboats and cruise ships. Mykonos town, located on the west coast, is the most photographed place of the island, with the emblematic windmills which are recognized symbol of the whole Cyclades group. Below the windmills can also see the so called Little Venice - a quarter in which the houses are built right on the sea edge. The whole town abounds in bars, restaurants, boutique and souvenir shops and galleries and this is the place where nightlife is at its most after the dramatic sunset.

Almost all settlements and resorts are on the west and south coast, the northeast is yet undeveloped and quiet. The most popular beaches are Elia, Paradise and Super Paradise in the south, with plenty of beach bars, sunbeds, people and loud music. Other beaches which have developed as resorts are Platis Gialos, Ornos and Psarrou, all sandy and shallow. Kalo Livadi, Kalafati and Lia are calmer and partly organized with sunbeds and umbrellas, with some hotels or villas around them, and a good choice to escape from the crowds and the lively resorts of the island. All over the north and east part many beaches and coves can be found.

Sights and interesting places in and around Mykonos:
- Mykonos town with the windmills and Little Venice
- The three pelicans which live in Mykonos town and freely walk around the streets
- The ruins of Gyzi castle above Ano Meria village
- The old church of Panagia Paraportiani
- The picturesque Merchias beach, with a rocky promontory on which the church of Agios Nikolaos was built
- The archaeological site of Delos, located on the island of Delos
- Boat trip around the uninhabited Rinia island with its beautiful blue coves, or a day trip to the neighbor Tinos or Syros

Windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving clubs are available on some of the beaches.